BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Some Idaho state Senate Republican leaders are pushing a bill that would make it harder for citizen initiatives to qualify for state ballots. The Spokesman-Review reports Idaho Farm Bureau lobbyist Russ Hendricks requested the legislation, which would require signatures from at least 6 percent of the residents in 22 out of Idaho's 35 legislative districts before an initiative or referendum could qualify for the ballot.

The current rules require signatures from at least 6 percent of voters in half of Idaho's counties. Sen. Curt McKenzie, R-Nampa, sponsored the measure on Monday. Farm Bureau spokesman John Thompson says the group is concerned about animal cruelty initiatves proposed in other states that would restrict some farming practices. Last year three citizen initiatives resulted in Idaho voters rejecting three school-reform laws.

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